Govt to replace military formations’ generators with solar power

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Nigerian Armed Forces have agreed to collaborate on deploying solar power systems to military formations across the country under the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI).

The agreement followed a project initiation and planning meeting between REA Managing Director/CEO, Abba Aliyu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

The NPSSI—approved by the Federal Government with an initial funding of ₦100 billion—is designed to replace diesel generators in public institutions with sustainable solar solutions. Target beneficiaries include schools, hospitals, government offices, and other critical facilities.

Aliyu explained that the initiative is a pay-for-service model to ensure long-term sustainability, noting that several military formations have already expressed interest. “A Memorandum of Understanding with military leadership will be required to participate,” he said, adding that similar agreements have been signed with the Police Trust Fund, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He stressed that the NPSSI is a joint effort between the REA, the Budget Office of the Federation, Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. “Our goal is to cut energy costs, improve reliability, and advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition,” Aliyu stated.

Responding, General Musa welcomed the proposal, calling it “a timely and much-needed intervention” for critical formations struggling with power supply. He announced plans to set up a dedicated military team to work with REA in identifying priority sites and drafting an implementation plan.

Discussions also explored leveraging the Nigerian Army’s Engineers and Logistics Unit for deployment, installation, and maintenance, with a joint REA–Military Solar Committee to be established to oversee the rollout.

The partnership reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to renewable energy adoption and the REA’s mission to expand clean power access to vital public infrastructure nationwide.